HIGH POINT, N.C. — The American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame is launching the Leaders Circle, a group that includes Hall of Fame inducted members, future leaders and other industry leaders. The inaugural gathering of the Hall of Fame Leaders Circle takes place Oct. 17 at the String & Splinter Club.

Leaders Circle members will gain access to exclusive activities, connect with other influencers, and will receive special privileges and preferred admittance to Hall of Fame events.

“As an organization of the most prestigious leaders in our industry, the Hall of Fame Leaders Circle will be a nerve center for peer-to-peer discussion and a training ground for promising leaders,” said David Gebhart, president of the Hall of Fame Foundation board of directors and founder and CEO of Global Views. “The Leaders Circle will be an integral part of our new building as a world-class gathering place. Leaders will network, share ideas and chart a dynamic future for home furnishings.”

The Hall of Fame Foundation purchased the 23,500-square-foot building in July, located at 311 S. Hamilton St., a block from the International Home Furnishings Center in High Point. The grand opening of the foundation's permanent home is targeted for April 2021; Freeman Kennett Architects was hired for the project.

Capital campaign donors include: Michael Amini, AICO; Aminy Audi, L. & J.G. Stickley; The BB&T Foundation; Donald Belgrad; Andy Bernstein, FurnitureDealer.Net; Irv Blumkin, FVB Foundation, Inc.; John Bray, Vanguard Furniture Co. Inc.; Jeff Child, R.C. Willey; Randy Coconis, Coconis Furniture; Bruce and Kena Cohenour; J. Don Coleman, Coleman Consulting LLC; Patrick Cory, Joseph Cory Holdings LLC; The Furniture Foundation; Jerry Epperson; Richard Feng, Markor; Hassell Franklin, Franklin Corp.; David Gebhart, Global Views; Janet Guy, Prestige Arts/Art Trends; Jena Hall, Jena Hall Associates; Haverty Furniture Companies; Keith Koenig, City Furniture; Samuel Kuo, Lacquer Craft USA; Amir Loloi, Loloi Rugs; International Market Centers; Alex Peykar, Nourison Industries; Mark Phillips, Phillips Collection; Martin and Mary Ann Ploy, AICO; Karen and Steve Pond; Lawrence Rogers; Schwarz Properties; Chad Spencer, Dufresne Spencer Group; and Bill and Julia Wittenberg, Klaussner Furniture Industries.

The American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., is an industry-wide organization founded to preserve the history and to celebrate the individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the U.S. home furnishings industry, and to inspire a new class of innovation and leadership. For information visit homefurnishingshalloffame.com or call 336-882-5900.